“Missing?”
Shanti listened as Noor translated Rafique’s story a little at a time.
“He lives in a shelter near Mr. Ahammed. The two came from a village near Maungdaw. They had to flee when the soldiers came. Rafique ran, but Jafor stayed and tried to save his wife and children.”
Noor described a night of terror that began with a hail of bullets and ended with Jafor playing dead among the mutilated and burned bodies of neighbors and family.
“Jafor told Rafique one of the soldiers had dropped his phone, so Jafor took it.”
Shanti’s pulse skipped. “One of Naing’s soldiers?”
Numerous survivors had described soldiers filming the violence. If Shanti could get her hands on that footage…
Noor nodded. “Yes, one of Naing’s soldiers. He dropped the phone. Jafor saw it, and before they could bury the bodies, he climbed out of the pit, grabbed the phone, and ran for the mountains. It was dark, and they did not see him.”
“This is the phone?” Shanti took it from him.
“He says that Jafor asked him to hide the phone somewhere because he was afraid men would come to take him away just like they took the British reporters.”
“What?” Shanti stared at Rafique. “Jafor Ahammed spoke with the British journalists? Does Rafique know who abducted them? Did he see what happened?”
What was going on here?
Shanti listened while Noor and Rafique went back and forth, wishing she could speak the language herself.
Connor leaned down, spoke in a quiet voice. “Shanti, this isn’t safe.”
“He doesn’t have any weapons.”
“It’s not him I’m worried about.”
Finally, Noor turned to her. “He says Jafor told the British gentlemen about the phone. They asked the UN manager for help cracking the password, but she didn’t know how. Two days later, the British men disappeared. Jafor asked Rafique to hide the phone because he feared those men would come for him, too. Rafique put it in a plastic bag and buried it under a rock near some latrines. Now Jafor is missing, and Rafique is afraid those same men will come after him. That’s why he wants you to take it. He knew Jafor was going to meet with you.”
Connor took the phone and turned to Noor, his expression grave. “Translate for me. Did this phone belong to one of the soldiers who attacked their village, and does it have video footage of the attack?”
Noor translated the question and Rafique’s answer. “He says yes.”
“Cobra, Team One, we’re making our exfil now. Segal, Isaksen, request additional escort. Have the helicopter on standby. How copy?”
Connor’s reaction sent Shanti’s adrenaline soaring. “What? What’s going on?”
“Cruz, pack her gear. Jones, make sure the hallway’s clear.”
“Roger that.”
“What about my last appointment?”
“Reschedule it. Naing’s men are looking for this phone. It’s not hard to trace a cell phone if you have the tech.”
That didn’t make sense. “The phone isn’t even turned on.”
“It doesn’t have to be on for them to locate it.” Connor didn’t explain further but turned to Noor once more. “You and Rafique should come with us. We can give you a safe place to stay while we sort through this. I’d like to ask Rafique a few more questions in a place where no one can hurt him.”
Noor shook her head. “We can’t go with you. Rohingya people must have permission to leave the camps.”
Connor looked to Shanti as if to confirm this.
“It’s true. I’ll call Pauline.”